Everest pioneer Edmund Hillary diesSIR Edmund Hillary, the unassuming beekeeper who conquered Mount Everest to win renown as one of the 20th century's greatest adventurers, has died at home in New Zealand on the 11thh January at the age of 88. Sir Edmund became the first person to stand on Mt Everest, the world's highest peak, on June 2, 1953. Hillary's life was marked by grand achievements, high adventure, discovery, excitement - and by his personal humility. Humble to the point that he only admitted being the first man atop Everest long after the death of climbing companion Sherpa Tenzing Norgay.